From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
- Houston County emerges as midstate economic leader, boosted by innovation, manufacturing and jobs at Robins Air Force Base.
- MARTA's new trains have not yet passed critical safety tests, delaying upgrades ahead of the FIFA World Cup and threatening a $707 million project.
- Unified Legacy will invest $125 million in Macon, creating at least 500 manufacturing jobs for Macon-Bibb County.
- Richard Woods, state superintendent, faces a June 16 Republican runoff after criticism from Jon Burns and Jason Anavitarte.
May 28, 2026 WABE
Kendall Murry reports that Atlanta is parked among the top 10 worst metropolitan areas for traffic in the U.S., according to a new study by Consumer Affairs. The consumer research-based website analyzed data from the nation’s 50 most populous areas, including factors such as daily hours of congestion, average commute times and fatal car crash rates.
May 28, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Demi Guillory reports, if you’re looking for a place in Georgia powered by innovation, manufacturing and educational opportunities, you might want to check out the middle of the state. With a robust economy bolstered by a highly diversified and trained workforce, thousands of jobs at Robins Air Force Base alone and an unwavering commitment to its future, Houston County is undeniably a frontrunner.
May 28, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sara Gregory, Katherine Landergan and Thad Moore reports, days away from the FIFA World Cup kicking off in Atlanta, MARTA’s new trains have not yet passed critical safety tests — a delay that threatens to undermine the agency’s promise to upgrade the transit system in time for the city’s showcase on the international stage. It’s the latest setback in a $707 million project that’s already led to finger-pointing behind the scenes as the transit agency struggles to bring its first new railcars in more than two decades into service.
May 28, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald
Clay Neely reports, artificial intelligence and data centers could become the next major driver of Georgia’s growing battery manufacturing industry, according to a speaker at Wednesday’s Rotary Club of Newnan meeting. Jae Kim of Aprio Advisory Group told Rotary members that battery manufacturers tied to electric vehicle production are increasingly looking toward energy storage systems that support large-scale data centers and AI infrastructure.
May 28, 2026 Macon Telegraph
Myracle Lewis reports, the expansion of a Georgia-based metal fabrication and manufacturing company to Macon-Bibb County will bring at least 500 new jobs to the area, according to state leaders. Unified Legacy will invest $125 million in a new manufacturing facility on Barnes Ferry Road, just off of Hawkinsville Road, in Macon.
May 28, 2026 Rough Draft Atlanta
Hayden Sumlin reports that Norcross Economic Development Director David Versel stopped by the May 27 People Doing Community at 45 South Cafe to update residents on how the city is supporting businesses and new projects. “We get involved in everything from recruiting businesses and helping real estate development projects to dealing with everybody’s favorite topic, downtown parking,” Versel said.
May 28, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Isabelle Manders reports, just weeks away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Cobb County Police Department is moving forward with a nearly $9.7 million purchase that will allow officers to detect and manage unauthorized drones during one of the world’s largest sporting events. The purchase is made possible through a nearly $11 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
May 28, 2026 The Brunswick News
Michael Hall reports that sea turtle nesting season is underway and already nearly 650 nests have been identified along Georgia’s coast. Only three of those are on St. Simons Island, a number environmental advocates say is indicative of weak beachfront lighting rules that do not do enough to protect the reptiles listed in the Endangered Species Act.
May 28, 2026 State Affairs
Jack Rutherford reports that the 2026 race for Georgia’s public-schools chief is turning heads as the most powerful members of the Republican-led General Assembly seek to oust the longtime Republican incumbent — forcing a primary runoff next month. Blistering criticism from the likes of House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, and Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, has upended a typically low-profile contest for state school superintendent, held by current Superintendent Richard Woods since 2015.
May 28, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Jeff Amy reports that State Superintendent Richard Woods has told lawmakers multiple times that reading instruction in Georgia is on the right path – but they’re not buying it. Now that discontent has helped drag Woods into a June 16 runoff for the Republican nomination with Candler County Superintendent Bubba Longgrear as he seeks a fourth term leading the state’s K-12 schools.
May 28, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Ty Tagami reports that voters recovering from the long list of candidates that greeted them on their primary election ballots last week will have to return to the polls soon for runoff elections. The Atlanta Press Club will help voters make informed choices with a final round of livestreamed debates Sunday and Monday.
May 28, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Riley Bunch reports that liberal Democrats are celebrating primary election wins that put their coalition on track to add new voices to the General Assembly — including the state’s first nonbinary and transgender legislator. Coupled with primary victories for incumbents from the state party’s left wing who fended off more moderate challengers, Democrats are looking to capitalize on voter frustrations and national economic uncertainty to fuel their success.
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